Marian W. Johnston, 96, of Warwick, died April 11, 2012 at the Scandinavian Home in Cranston. She was the wife of the late Thomas C. Johnston.

Born in Germany, she lived in South Attleboro, Mass. for 40 years before moving to Warwick in 2004. She was a legal secretary and at one time was the only woman in Rhode Island to hold the designation of certified professional secretary (CPS) and professional legal secretary (PLS). She was a graduate of Evanston Township High School in Illinois and at the age of 70 graduated from Providence College.

She leaves her two children, Mary M. Johnston and T. Frederick Johnston, both of Warwick, and her beloved grandson, Derek C. Johnston, a sophomore at the University of Chicago.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In keeping with her passion for learning, she donated her body to Brown Medical School.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Providence Animal Rescue League, 34 Elbow St., Providence, RI 02903.